A Minor Revolution: How Prioritizing Kids Benefits Us All

In this persuasive and wide-ranging study, Drexel University law professor Benforado (Unfair) draws on scientific studies, policy research, and case histories to show an urgent need to “put children first” in law enforcement, education, parenting, and other areas. Arguing that policymakers typically prioritize adults’ needs over children’s, Benforado notes that even though research shows early parental attachment is key to child development, there are no federal laws guaranteeing paid childcare leave; as a result, almost half of American parents are back to work within three days of childbirth. Elsewhere, he criticizes legislation and judicial rulings based on the notion that “mom and dad are the gatekeepers to knowledge,” cites evidence that young workers “have the highest levels of discriminatory experiences of any age group,” and catalogs military recruitment campaigns that target kids as young as 13 (“We are so inured to the idea that the young should fight and the old should lead that it can be hard to grasp the unfairness of our system”). Among other solutions, he proposes the creation of a federal Children’s Bureau that would coordinate with environmental, health, education, and legal agencies to ensure young people’s rights are considered. Deeply researched and passionately argued, this is an irrefutable call for change. (Feb.)